Travis County DA pleads guilty to DWI

Chris Tomlinson, Associated Press

Published
11:35 am CDT, Monday, April 15, 2013

AUSTIN — The Travis County district attorney pleaded guilty to a drunken driving charge two days after a 911 caller alerted authorities to a vehicle weaving and crossing into oncoming traffic, according to a letter released Monday.

Rosemary Lehmberg wrote to the prosecutor and the court saying her plea was unconditional and to any charge the prosecutor felt was supported by the facts.

“I am guilty of DWI and of acting unreasonably and the fault is all my own. I am deeply sorry for my actions,” Lehmberg said in the letter, which she also shared with the media. “I enter this unconditional plea without request for delay, without legal argument by counsel, without any plea bargain, and without any request for leniency or consideration of any type.”

The prosecutor’s office did not have an immediate, public response to the letter.

Lehmberg was booked into the county jail early Saturday after being arrested for driving while intoxicated. She was released on $3,000 bond.

An arrest affidavit does not say whether Lehmberg took a breath test. She did perform a field sobriety test and told deputies that she had consumed two vodka drinks earlier in the evening, the affidavit said.

A citizen called 911 around 10:45 p.m. Friday, reporting that a motorist was driving a four-door Lexus in a bike lane for at least a mile and that the vehicle was weaving in and out of traffic. At one point, the affidavit said, the Lexus crossed into oncoming traffic.

The affidavit said Lehmberg was slurring her speech and mumbling and “staggering and unsure” when she walked. Lehmberg’s eyes were “watery, bloodshot and glassy” and there was a moderate smell of alcohol, the affidavit said.

Lehmberg was re-elected to a second four-year term last May and was expected to step down in 2016. In a statement issued Saturday, the Democrat said she intended to continue in office. If she were to step down, Republican Gov. Rick Perry would appoint her replacement until a new election.

“I apologize to the citizens of Travis County and specifically to the dedicated officers and employees who had to deal with my violation and any disrespectful conduct after my arrest,” she said in the letter. “Further, I agree to appear, without delay, to enter this plea and I accept whatever assessment of jail time is deemed appropriate by the sentencing Court.”

The letter also says she will waive any right to probation or appeal in the case.